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J. G. FOWLER.

GAR COUPLING. No. 338,635. Patented Mar. 23-, 1886.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH O. FOWVLER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN BOYLE, TRUSTEE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 338,635, dated March 23,1886.

Application filed February 1, 1886. Serial No. 190,532.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH G. FOWLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Car- Gouplings, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and effective automatic sliding pin-sup- [0 port, to be inserted in the draw-heads of ordinary pin-and-link car-couplings, whereby such couplings are rendered automatic without necessitating any expense for alterations in the draw-heads.

To this end my invention consists in the combination, with any ordinary draw-head having an upper and a lower pin-opening, of a sliding spring-propelled pin-support inserted in said draw-head in position to be projected 2o beneath and support the coupling-pin when raised, said sliding spring-support being provided with a pivotal dog adapted to engage with the lower pin-opening of the draw-head, and so prevent the ejection of the pin-support from the draw-head when the pin is raised or withdrawn.

The invention also consists in certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter set forth.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of a draw-head with my invention applied thereto, the couplingpin being shown supported in an elevated position. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the pin lowered and engaged with a coupling-link. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of draw-head with sliding block or pin-support inclosed. Fig. 4 is a perspective of my automatic pinsupport with its locking-dog.

The numeral 1 designates a draw-head of ordinary construction,having a flaring mouth, 2, and provided with an upper vertical perforation, 3, and a lower vertical perforation, 4, in line therewith, for receiving a couplingpin, 5, as usual. The pin 5 has a shoulder, 6,

and an eye, 7, at its upper end, and is arranged to engage with a link, 8, of ordinary form.

In order to provide for effecting an automatic coupling between two draw-heads of (No model.)

this ordinary pin-and-link variety, I arrange in each draw-head an automatic horizontallymovable pin-support, 9, which consists of an oblong sliding block that is slotted or recessed at its forward end, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and -l.

\Vithin the slot or recess 10 of the block or pin-support 9 is pivoted a dog, 12, the free end of which normally rests on the floor of the draw-head, and is adapted to engage in the lower opening, 4, when said block or support 9 is projected forward beneath the elevated pin. The rear end of the block or support 9 is provided with a knob, 13, for attachment of a spiral spring, 14:, the opposite end of which bears against a block or head, 15, on the end 6 of the draft-rod 16. It will be observed that the rounded surface of the knob 13, with its contracted neck, affords a firm hold for the coils of the spring 14, and permits its ready attachment to the sliding block 9 and removal therefrom when desired. Vhen the coupling- -pin 5 is raised, as shown in Fig. 1, the tension of the spring 14 forces the sliding block or pinsupport 9 forward beneath the lower end of said coupling-pin, and so holds it in an elevated position. As the block or support 9 moves forward, the free or hooked end ofits dog 12 drops into the lower pin-opening,4,as shown in Fig. 1, and so prevents the block 9 from being ejected from the drawhe'ad by the force of its propelling-spring. If desired, a leaf spring, 17, may be arranged in the recessed end ofthe block 9, above the dog 12, for the purpose of snpplen'lenting the weight of said dog in bringing it into engagement with the opening 4. This spring 17 is not, however, essential, as ordinarily the weight of the dog 12 is sufficient to insure its engagement with the lower pin-opening, 1, of the draw-head, and so prevent ejection and loss of the sliding o block 9 when the coupling-pin 5 is raised. In the act of coupling, the entrance of the link 8 forces the sliding block or pinsupport 9 backward within the draw'head, as shown in Figs.

2 and 3, and so permits the coupling-pin 5 to 5 drop into engagement with the link. It will be observed that the under side of the hooked end of the dog 12 is so curvedor bent that it becomes easily disengaged from the opening 4 when thebloek 9 is thus forced back. 10c

the relative height of the coupled draw-heads. The dog 12 may also be formed with a. con-.

cavity, 20, at the lower part of its hooked end to correspond with the rounded end of the link, which is thus not liable to batter either the end of the block or its dog. It is obvious that this attachment for rendering a pin-andlink coupling automatic can be readily applied within any draw-head of ordinary constrnction without necessitating the alteration of said draw-head.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1; The combination, with a draw-head having an upper and a lower pin-opening, of a sliding spring-p ropelled pin-support provided with a pivoted dog adapted to engage the lower pin-opening when the coupling-pin is raised. substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a draw-head having an upper and a lower piiropening, of a sliding spring-propelled pin-support having its forward end eoncaved and grooved transversely, and provided with a pivoted dog adapted to engage the lower pin-opening and .prevent ejection of said support'when the coupling-pin is raised, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a draw-head having an upper and a-lower pin-opening, of a sliding spring-propelled pin-support having its forward end slotted or recessed on the under side, and a dog pivoted in said slot or recess and adapted to engage the lower pin-opening to prevent ejection of the support when the coupling-pin is raised, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a draw-head having an upper and a lower pin-opening, of a sliding spring-propel ed pin-support recessed at its forward end, a dog pivoted in said re-' cess and adapted to engage the lower pinopening, and a spring arranged inthe recessed pin-support above said dog, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a draw-head hav-' ing an upper and a lower pin-opening, of a sliding pin-support arranged in said drawhead and having a rounded knob at its rear end, a spiral spring attached to said knob, and a dog pivoted in a recess at the forward end of said support and adapted to engage the lower pin-opening of the draw-head, substan- I tially as described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH O. FOWLER. \Vitnesses:

J. A. RUTHERFORD, GEO. XV. REA. 

